24: 
VERTEBRATA, 
The KoBEZ, Ingrian, or Red-legged Falcon, F. vespertinus, is ten and a half inches long, 
of a bluish-gray above and red beneath. Unlike other falcons, all of which live solitary or in 
pairs, this species often congregates in flocks. It builds in tall trees, lays three or four eggs, and 
is found all over Europe, but is most abundant at the north. 
The Bengal Falcon or Martin Falcon, F. coerulescens, is the smallest species of falcon that 
is known ; it is of a bluish-black above and red beneath. The tail is crossed by four white lines. 
It is found in India and Sumatra. 
The Chicquerra Falcon, F. Chicquerra, is ashy-gray above and white beneath, striped with 
light gray. It is found in Java, in India and South Africa. 
The RuFous-BACKED Kestrel or Mountain Falcon, F.rupicolus, resembles the kestrel, and is 
found at the Cape of Good Hope. 
The Crested Falcon, F. frontalis, is of a steel-gray above ; below it is of the same color, 
with cross-bands of a darker tint. It is remarkable for its crest, which rises and falls according 
to the passions which agitate it. It hves upon the borders of the sea, in which it fishes for crabs 
and shell-fish. It builds its nest on the rocks, and lays four or five eggs of a reddish-white color. 
It is found in Southern Africa. 
The Black-thighed Falcon, F. tibialis, is an African species of the size of a pigeon, of a 
grayish-brown above and a light red below. 
The Red-thighed Falcon, F.femoralis — the Lead-colored Merlin of Azara — is a South Amer- 
ican species, of a blackish lead-color above and lead-colored below. It builds on isolated trees, 
and lays four or five eggs. 
The Little Falcon or American Sparrow-Hawk — the >S'^. Domingo Merlin of Bufi"on— i^. 
sparverins, is spread over the greater part of both North 
and South America, and is familiarly known in the Uni- 
ted States. It is reddish-bay above, transversely streaked 
with black ; the lower parts yellowish- white, marked with 
longitudinal lines of brown. It flies rather irregularly, 
occasionally suspending itself in the air, hovering over 
a particular spot for a minute or two, and then shooting 
ofi" in another direction. It perches on the top of a 
dead tree or pole in the middle of a field or meadow, 
and, as it alights, shuts its long wings so suddenly that 
they seem instantly to disappear ; it sits here in an al- 
most perpendicular position, sometimes for an hour at a 
time, frequently jerking its tail, and reconnoitering the 
ground below, in every direction, for mice, lizards, &c. 
It approaches the farm-house, particularly in the morn- 
ing, skulking about the barn-yard for mice or young 
chickens. It frequently plunges into a thicket after 
small birds, as if by random, but always with a par- 
ticular, and generally a fatal aim. It is particularly 
fond of watching along hedge-rows and in orchards, 
where various kinds of small birds usually resort. 
"When grasshoppers are plenty they form a considerable 
part of its food. The male is ten inches long. This 
species lives on grasshoppers, snakes, mice, lizards, and 
small birds. The blue jays have a particular antipathy 
to this bird, and frequently insult it by following and im- 
itating its notes so exactly as to deceive even those well 
acquainted with both. In return for all this abuse, the 
hawk contents himself with now and then feasting on 
the plumpest of his persecutors, who are, therefore, in 
perpetual dread of him; and yet, through some strange infatuation, or from fear that, if they lose 
HEAB AND FOOT OP AMERICAlf SPARROW-HAWK. 
